Ezra 5

Chap. V. Ver. 1—17. The work resumed and encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah.—Soon after the death of Artaxerxes, above-mentioned, the heads of the Jews, Zerubbabel and Joshua, renew their design, assisted, animated, and encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. This immediately awakened the opposition of their enemies, who demanded by what authority they dared to resume the building? “But the eye of their God (which implies his power and wisdom) was upon the elders of the Jews;” and that eye proved their best protection. “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him; upon them that hope in his mercy.” ((Psalms 33:18).) The letter of Tatnai is an interesting and important document, particularly as it contains the answer which the pious Jews gave to their inquiries—“We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth.”

If it be an honour to be the servant of an earthly prince, how much more so, to be the servant of the most high God, and “this honour have all his saints.” ((Acts 16:17). Psalm exlix. 9.) “We build the house (say they) that was builded many years ago,” by “a great king of Israel.” So that it was no new design, nor by any means calculated to excite their jealousy, since it was not a castle, nor a fortress, but a temple—“a house of God.” At the same time, they honestly confess that it was for their sins and provocations against the Lord that they had been deprived of it, and given over into the hands of the king of Babylon. Since his time, however, it had pleased God to give them favour with them.

to liberty, but had returned the treasures his predecessor had deprived them of, and sent them back loaded with presents and with favours: on his decree, therefore, they confidently rest their cause, and wish only to stand or fall by the truth and honesty of their averments.

Notes on the verses

Ver. 2. Darius.—This was Darius Hystaspes, one of the seven princes who slew the usurper Smerdis: he ascended the throne of Persia, A. M. 3433, and reigned thirty-six years.—Bagster.

Chap. V. Ver. 1. Then the prophets.—(These are the same Haggai and Zechariah, whose writings we have among the twelve minor prophets: and, as a great part of them refer to the events here recorded, the reader will find it worth while to compare them with the history.)—Bagster.

Ver. 3. Tatnai.—Tatnai was governor of the provinces which belonged to the Persian empire west of the Euphrates, comprehending Syria, Arabia Deserta, Phoenicia, and Samaria. He seems to have been a mild and judicious man; and to have acted with great prudence and caution, and without any passion or prejudice.—Bagster.

Ver. 4. What are the names, &c.—If these are the words of their enemies as appears from ver. 10, it should seem that we must read them in the third person, with Dr. Boothroyd: “Then said they unto them,” (Tatnai &c. unto the Jews,) “What are the names?” &c. But Dr. Clarke, supposing this verse to be the answer of the Jews, reads the latter clause, “These are the men,” &c. But how does this agree with ver. 10?

Ver. 8. Great stones.—See margin; i.e. probably, stones too large to lift by human hands and therefore conveyed on rollers as is common to us day.